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THE PROBLEM OF SUBLIMATION
that a suppressed animal need can be used as a source of
energy for social and spiritual activities of a high order.
Considering the theory of sublimation from the biological
point of view for a moment, it would appear at first sight that it
is supported by good evidence. The fact is well known that the
sex glands perform a double function. They produce the
reproductive cells and a hormone which is of great importance
both for sexuality itself and for its influence upon the physical
and mental life in general.
It would therefore appear that the conclusions of the
psychologists about the role of sexual desire in science, art and religion
are reinforced by the evidence that the sex glands themselves
play an important part, perhaps a decisive one, in the creativity
of the artist, the scientist’s research, and religious thought.
Certainly it is now beyond question that the testicles and ovaries
play an active and highly important part in the formation
of the physical and psychological characteristic of the individual
of both sexes. Thus it is evident that the glandular changes which
occur at puberty and sexual maturity have the same effects as
toxic stimulants on creative activity. Moreover, there is ample
proof that the hormones account for the special periodicity
which is noticeable in the mental life of many people, a
periodicity which is often very marked in the artist.
But does the double function of the sex glands really provide
proof or support for the doctrine of psychic sublimation?
Consider a person who lives in celibacy. He does not function
sexually, in the narrow sense of the term, but the activity of his
sex glands are of the greatest importance for his physical and
mental wellbeing. Must we, then, say that the internal aspect
of the sex function is a ‘sublimation’ of that aspect of this
function which is not converted into activity in overt sexual
behaviour? Hardly.
An increase in vitality as the result of hormone activity
should not be too hastily taken as evidence of the reality of the
sublimation process. It is known that Goethe’s poetry bore an
historical relation to periodical infatuations. Was there also a
causal relation between the love affairs and the poetry so that the
latter was the result of sublimating the former? Kretschmer
refers to this in his book on Geniuses. He says it was not love
that brought the songs to birth; Goethe always had beautiful
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